eCommunicator - Summer 2019 Journal of 32 Signal Regiment eCommunicator Volume 19, Number 1 http://www.torontosignals.ca/ In this issue of the eCommunicator Change of RCCS Beret Pg 17 Commanding Officer’s Parade Pg 16 New Unit Crest Pg 19 Junior Ranks Formal Pg 13 Table of Content About the eCommunicator 3 CO’s Message This is a limited domestic publication produced with 4 RSM’s Message the permission of the Commanding Officer for the purpose of recording the activities within the 5 Honouraries Message Regiment and the Regimental family. It is intended 7 Padre to provide a wide variety of material relating to military communications and military affairs, both Features at home and abroad. 8 Awards and Promotions The views and opinions expressed in this periodical 10 DWD — Warrant Officer Lee Whalen, CD are those of the contributors and not those of the 12 Associates Dinner Department of National Defence, its Units or 13 Junior Ranks Formal Officers, including the Commanding Officer of 32 15 CAF National Women’s Volleyball Championship Signal Regiment. 16 CO’s Parade The editor and publisher are responsible for the 17 Change of Beret Parade production of the eCommunicator but not for the 18 Garrison Ball accuracy, timeliness or description of written and 19 New Unit Crest graphical material published therein. 19 Royal Canadian Logistics Service Branch and RCEME Corps The editor reserves the right to modify or re-format 20 Technology Topic: Software-Defined Radio (SDR) material received, within reason, in order to make 22 709 Signals Army Cadet Corps best use of available space, appearance and layout. 24 2250 The Muskoka Pioneers RCACC 25 142 Mimico Determination Squadron 32 Signal Regiment 27 Jimmy and Associates 28 Vintage Signals Team: Signals In The First World War Commanding Officer: 35 Last Post LCol Alfred Lai, CD 36 Letters to the Editor Regimental Sergeant Major: CWO Steve Graham, CD Honorary Colonel: HCol Jim Leech, C.M. Honorary Lt Colonel: The eCommunicator HLCol Ken Lloyd, CD M.A. Delivered to your Computer eCommunicator You can now download a personal copy of the Editor: eCommunicator to your device. You can also find back WO Richard Lacroix, CD issues to complete your library. Simply click or copy the link below and paste it in your browser’s address bar. Proofreader: Heather McClory http://www.torontosignals.ca/ Unit Historian: LCol Jack Lee, CD (Ret’d) How to Contact Us Comments or submissions can be sent to For more signals related information [email protected] http://www.torontosignals.ca/ http://www.hamiltonsignals.com/ Toronto http://www.29thdivisionassociation.com/ Canadian Forces Armoury Fort York http://www.rcsigs.ca/ 660 Fleet Street West Toronto, ON http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/32-signal-regiment/index.page M5V 1A9 CFB Borden 61 Ramillies Road CFB Borden Borden, ON L0M 1C0 Publication Date: Summer 2019 © No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written consent. Command Team Commanding Officer’s Message The old adage says, “Time flies!” and it is very true in my case. When LCol (Retired) Jack Lee reminded me that the next issue of the eCommuicator will be out soon, I checked the calendar and it is more than a year since I have taken over as the Commanding Officer! Looking back, I can honestly say we as a Regiment have accomplished a lot. First and foremost, I must mention our contributions to OPERATION LENTUS, the Canadian Armed Forces’ assistance in the flooding areas this April and May. 32 Signal Regiment contributed a total of 28 personnel in rotation to 32 Territorial Battalion Group (32 CBG) for this operation. Our signallers of all ranks did a magnificent job. On top of providing and operating the command and control facilities, our personnel filled in the critical roles as the Operations Officer, the TBG Signals Officer, the Signal Platoon Commander, the Logistics Group Commander as well as the 32 CBT S1. It was truly a “Noble job, splendidly done”; helping fellow Canadians at their most vulnerable. Throughout this training year, the Regiment continued to complete all taskings to support 32 Canadian Brigade Group as well as taskings as far away as Gagetown and the Arctic. On occasions, we have had personnel support three exercises concurrently. We have been taking advantage of the recruiting drive. Through the efforts of the recruiting team we have over 40 new members joining us this year. Well done! As for individual training, our personnel continued to take time off to attend trade and career courses. We have set a new record of having three Captains attending the Army Operations Course (AOC). I look forward to the return of all our NCMs and officers with newly acquired knowledge and skills to build depth into the capabilities of our Regiment. Through our Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, we have revitalized our efforts in completing our Regimental History book project. We are now having Warrant Officer (Retired) Renny MacKinnon, who is an accomplished and published writer, to lead this project. We look forward to having our Regimental History published in 2020. We are still collecting historical information, photographs and personal stories for the book, so please send them in! Our close associate and Regimental Family member, the Vintage Signals Team (VST), has been taking the Regiment’s name to all the events they participated in, extending our community footprint. Thank you very much! In order to be able to serve our current and past members more effectively, a project to consolidate our various associations into a Regimental Association has been launched. We are soliciting new ideas to be incorporated in order to achieve our goal. Looking to the future, I look forward to receiving our Royal Blue berets on the 15th of June. This piece of new headdress is giving Signallers a new distinct identity for the future. Staying with the future, I am glad to report that 32 Signal Regiment have been given the task as the “Lead Unit” to provide the Cyber capability within 4 Canadian Division. No doubt there will be challenges but also triumphs in taking on this vital role. Judging by the strength in our members, 32 Signal Regiment will embark on this exciting journey as a strong team! eCommunicator | 3 Command Team Regimental Sergeant-Major Good day to all. It’s been another very exciting and busy period since the last edition of the eCommunicator. 32 Signal Regiment has the highest tempo of all the 32 Brigade units. To date, you have never failed or let your leadership down. On top of weekly parade nights and our own weekend IBTS exercises, your services are being requested almost every weekend. And your efforts and skills do not go unnoticed. The Commanding Officer routinely receives e- mails from other COs passing on kudos for your excellent job. Somehow with the heavy workload and dwindling resources and equipment, you get the job done beyond expectations. If I have not had the opportunity to say it to you personally, thank-you for what you do. I am proud of the hard work you put in and extremely proud to be your RSM. On top of everything there was also FTSE, Summer Concentration, Trade and Career Courses and if that wasn’t enough OP LENTUS which saw a total of 24 personnel deploy during the Op. That said, please be cognisant of your health. Everyone needs a break and if you reach that point, please take some time or bring it to the attention of your chain of command. On that note there are a number of Apps that are available for free download which could help you or others; “Respect in the CAF”, “R2MR” (Road to Mental Readiness) and the “CFB-BFC Borden” App to name a few. Growth within the Pres units has been amazing. Our recruiters have done a great job showcasing the Regiment and with the Co-Op program running for the fourth year, we have grown and continue to grow. With growth there comes loss. Some quit before the end of BMQ or BMQ L once they figure out that this is not for them. Others release for family or career decisions. And there are those who transfer to the Regular Force and continue on to a fabulous full time career as a soldier. One such success story is Cpl Laffier who CT’ed to the Regular Force as Military Police. After a five month course he graduated and was presented his MP Badge and credentials. The CO and I had the privilege to attend his graduation parade. He had one of the highest academic averages of his course and is posted to CFB Petawawa. “What Manner Of Men Are These That Wear The Maroon Beret? They are firstly all volunteers and are toughened by physical training…Of all the factors, which make for success in battle, the spirit of the warrior is the most decisive. That spirit will be found in full measure in the men who wear the maroon beret”. Another loss for 32 Signal Regiment was a gain for the Queens Own Rifles of Canada. MCpl Jackie Mao took an attached posting to the QOR. He is now entitled to wear the white jump wings on his uniform and I had the privilege to present him his maroon beret after his first jump with the QOR in his new position. Now instead of arriving on a bus he jumps in on exercise, not only with his kit and rifle but also with a radio. I know there are a number of members in the Regiment who have requested the Basic Parachute Course.